Former Murtoa kindergarten site update
Published on 23 October 2025
Former Kindergarten Site Murtoa Update
Yarriambiack Shire, in collaboration with the community, successfully advocated for and secured a State Government Labor Election commitment for early childhood education in November 2022. This commitment confirmed the construction of an integrated early childhood education and care centre, which included kindergarten, childcare, and maternal child health services at the Murtoa College site. This centre is among the first 50 to be established and operated by the State Government.
With the welcomed construction and opening of the Bani Walup, Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Murtoa, the former Murtoa Kindergarten and Maternal Child Health building at 38-40 Marma Street Murtoa is now deemed a redundant building due to its current condition and that it is surplus to Council’s requirements.
To support the proposal for a new centre, the Council commissioned a building report which identified that the investment required to upgrade the existing building solely to provide kindergarten services would be significantly higher than the cost of constructing a new facility. As part of its advocacy efforts, the Council committed to decommissioning and demolishing the former kindergarten building if a new centre incorporating childcare services were to be built.
Chief Executive Officer, Tammy Smith confirmed that, “The former Kindergarten building is located on State Government, crown land, and has soil contamination issues below the surface. This added an additional layer of complexity in assessing how to move forward with the demolition and site usage”.
“Approval has been granted by the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) to demolish the building, and Council has secured quotes and engaged a Contractor for the demolition to occur before the end of the calendar year”, continued Mrs Smith.
Mrs Smith stated that “after the building is removed, the site will be levelled and either grassed or planted. The Council will continue maintenance of the area until a future use for the site is determined”.
“It has been noted that there are monuments of community significance at the site, that will be preserved during and after demolition. In addition, it can be confirmed that only the building will be removed, the shade sails, shed and specified play equipment will remain at the site”, stated Mrs Smith.
“We are in discussions with DEECA about the potential future use of the site. The site is currently zoned as Public Use Zone – Health and Community, and any future use must comply with this zoning”, stated Mrs Smith.
Mrs Smith confirmed that “Council will continue to consult with the Murtoa Progress Association and keep both the Progress Association and Community informed as the project progress.
If the community has any questions in relation to the site, they are welcome to email info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au.
END OF RELEASE
Tammy Smith
Chief Executive Officer